1. FC Kaiserslautern 1996–1998: The Miracle on the Betzenberg

Can a team really fall from the Bundesliga… win a cup… rebuild in the second tier… then return to win the title at the first attempt? In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary, almost impossible tale of 1. FC Kaiserslautern — the Red Devils — and their unforgettable journey from relegation heartbreak to one of the greatest miracle seasons in football history.

In this episode, Graham and Jamie are joined by special guest Benedikt Osl to unpack the full story arc of the Red Devils — a club fuelled by tradition, fearsome home support, tactical discipline under Otto Rehhagel, and a squad mixing veterans, defiant characters, and one very effective moustachioed striker.

We explore the emotional shock of 1996, the turmoil and tears around club icons like Andreas Brehme and Rudi Völler, and the surreal moment where Kaiserslautern lifted the DFB-Pokal after going down. Then comes redemption: Otto Rehhagel arrives, Bayern Munich implode into “FC Hollywood,” and a newly promoted Lautern land the most outrageous opening-day punch imaginable — beating Bayern in Munich — a result that sets the tone for the season to come.

From record-breaking promotion form to classic Betzenberg nights, high-scoring chaos, and the rivalry that shaped an era, this is a story of defiant underdogs who bent the Bundesliga to their will. We also trace what came after: European adventures, financial storm clouds, and a legacy that still echoes through German football.

Takeaways

• Kaiserslautern’s journey is one of football’s purest Cinderella stories.
• Winning the DFB-Pokal after relegation was unprecedented and surreal.
• Bayern’s FC Hollywood era created chaos and vulnerability at the top.
• Rehhagel’s leadership invites comparisons with Brian Clough.
• Early-season results — especially in Munich — shaped the title race.
• Winning the DFB Hallenmasters added to their unusual honours list.
• Their 1997–98 title remains a historic Bundesliga landmark.
• European campaigns were a mix of magic and misfortune.
• Lautern’s later decline shows how hard it is to sustain success.

If you enjoy these podcasts, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating and also tell everyone about them!

From non-league obscurity to conquering the kings of English football — the story of Wimbledon FC from 1984 to 1988 is one of the greatest, wildest, and most unbelievable rises in football history.

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham and Jamie are joined by London football expert Stuart Burgess to deep-dive into the era that turned a ragtag group of misfits into FA Cup legends. Together, they revisit the extraordinary ascent of Wimbledon FC, a club whose direct football, intimidating culture, and unshakeable belief helped them smash through the English football pyramid and shock the world.

We explore the characters who defined the Crazy Gang — Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu, Lawrie Sanchez, Dennis Wise, Dave Beasant — and the leadership of Dave Bassett, whose tactical clarity and uncompromising philosophy forged one of the most iconic identities in British football. Stuart brings rich insight into Wimbledon’s South London roots, the personalities behind the rise, and the cultural chaos that made this team impossible to ignore.

And of course, we relive the unforgettable 1988 FA Cup Final: Lawrie Sanchez’s header, Beasant’s historic penalty save, and the day Wimbledon toppled the mighty Liverpool to write one of the greatest underdog chapters the Cup has ever seen.

Along the way, we unpack:

• How a tiny club stormed the First Division in record time
• Why the Crazy Gang’s mentality became their greatest weapon
• The behind-the-scenes influence of Ron Noades and Sam Hammam
• Don Howe’s tactical fingerprints on the Cup Final
• The long-term legacy of Wimbledon — and the birth of AFC Wimbledon

Where does Wimbledon 1984–88 rank among the greatest teams of all time?
We debate it, defend it, and place this unforgettable side into the Greatness Index.

🎧 Listen now for one of football’s most extraordinary stories — brutal, brilliant, chaotic, and completely unrepeatable.

If you enjoy these podcasts, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating and also tell everyone about them!

AFC Bournemouth 1984: Harry Redknapp’s Giant Killers & The Quest to Crown the Greatest FA Cup Shock

How did a struggling Third Division side pull off one of the most dramatic FA Cup upsets of all time — and does Bournemouth 1984 still stand as the greatest giant killing in football history?

In this episode, Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by regular South Coast guest Jamie Wilson to revisit the remarkable story of Harry Redknapp’s AFC Bournemouth, who stunned FA Cup holders Manchester United in 1984.

🔴 First Half – Bournemouth’s Moment of Destiny

We chart Redknapp’s early managerial journey, the belief and bunker mentality he cultivated, and the South Coast rivalry that shaped Bournemouth’s identity. Through tactical breakdowns, dressing-room tales, and context of the club’s precarious position, we explore how motivation, atmosphere, and collective refusal to accept defeat fuelled one of the competition’s most iconic wins.

🏆 Second Half – The Greatest FA Cup Shock Debate

The conversation then widens into a deep dive across FA Cup history — from non-league miracles to top-tier ambushes. We debate how narrative, context, and conditions shape a shock’s legacy, compare legendary upsets using the Giant Killing Index framework, and attempt to crown the greatest FA Cup shock of all time.

With humour, detail and nostalgia, this episode explores whether Bournemouth 1984 was an isolated miracle… or the perfect example of what makes the FA Cup magical.

Takeaways

• AFC Bournemouth’s win over Manchester United in 1984 remains one of the most iconic FA Cup shocks.
• Harry Redknapp’s early managerial style at Bournemouth emphasised spirit, charisma and tactical conviction.
• Motivation, unity and local rivalry played a decisive role in Bournemouth’s success.
• Tactical and emotional momentum were key to their victory.
• The episode explores how football’s landscape and cup competition dynamics have evolved across decades.
• Player stories and first-hand accounts highlight the human side of giant killing.
• Historical context and match conditions are vital in defining true cup shocks.
• Television and media coverage elevated the emotional resonance of these games.
• Statistical evaluation can support shock rankings, but narrative often defines greatness.
• Non-league teams hold a proud tradition of FA Cup disruption.
• Bournemouth’s 1984 triumph acted as a cultural springboard that later shaped the club’s long-term rise.

If you enjoy these podcasts, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a rating and also tell everyone about them!